St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-18
THEY SPEAK TO MIR. HILL.
Railway Commissioners Make
Some Suggestions on Wheat
TRANSFORMATION,

Railway Commissioners Make
Some Suggestions on Wheat
Transportation.
The railway commissioners yesterday
mailed letter of inquiry to j. j. Hill,
of the Manitoba, in regard to the rates
on wheat from Moorhead and Brecken-
ridge to Duluth. 1t seems that the rate
from Breckenridge to Duluth is 16 cents
per cwt.-a distance of 313 miles; while
from Moorhead, 300 miles distant, the
rate to Duluth is Is cents. The COM
mission also remarks that while rates
have been lowered from what they were
when wheat was 81 per bushel, yet that
this reduction has III no wise kept pace
with the fall in wheat. The letter is
given in full below, and will especially
interest wheat shippers, both in the
Western and Southwestern portions of
the state.
81. j. Hill, Esq. President st. Paul, Mime
apolis Il Manitoba Railway Company, st.
Paul-Dear sir: The attention of this com
mission has been called to the fact that the
st. Paul, Minneapolis Il Manitoba company
transports wheat from Breckenridge to Du
luih, distance of 313 miles by the lines OF
your road, over which we understand it is
transported, for 10 cents per cWt., while
from Moorhead to Duluth, a distance of 500
producers at Moorhead and vicinity say
nothing in the cost of construction or of
operating the line over which the grain
moved from Breckenridge Is hauled till it
lntersects the other line) which justiies the
discrimination against the more northern
station, and the commission, with its pres
eut information, being no better able to com
prehehd the problem, asks to be better in
formed.
1t is true the difference is not great, but..at
8 time whena few cents to the bushel makes
all tine difference between
VERY SMALL PROFIT
and a positive IoSs--perhaps between the
cost of bare production and the price re-
ceivcd for the graiu-the difference, how
ever small, means much to the producer and
there should be good reason for it, or its col
lection should be abandoned.
The board is aware that there has been a
material reduction in the transportation
charges on grain between the Red River val
ley and the great lakes since the time when
wheat sold for 81 per bushel, but this reduc-
ton in freight has by no means kept pace
wheat farmer for his grain. And, in the
meantime the cost to the roads of moving
the grain has, as the commission believes,
mate rally decreased. Railroad profits may
If their own financial reports are
to be believed their business
brings much better returns than
that of the Northwestern wheat farmer, and
VIC II " llle dltSullOu OI the COLL
panies whether in the long run it would not
be sound financial policy for them to encour-
age the former industry and in fact all
branches OF agriculture in the country upon
which they are dependent for their diVi-
dends even at the risk of temporary loss of
revenue. Is there not such reciprocity of
interest between the producers and the trans
portation companies as to- render it ineyita-
BILE that one cannOt1be long depressed with
out visiting some of the consequences of its
miSfOrtuneS uDOn the OthprS And in view Of
this almost sef-evident relation should not
the companies, especially those whose trains
are burdened almost the year around with
the products of the Northwestern wheat
fields. have made more liberal
reduction in rates this fall-a re-
puction not merely nominal, but so substantial
as to have infused a real courage into our
farmers and carried a vital relief to their de-
pressed business? And in this connection
we should very much like to know whether
with the reduced grades on the lines of your
road, and the consequent cheapening of haul
ing heavy trains, it is not now practicable for
you TO carry wheat from the most distant
corners of the state, say from ST. Vincent at
the northwest and Pipestone at the south
west when your line in that direction shall
be finished). to Minneapolis or Duluth at a
maximum rate of ten (l0) cents per buShel
and from other points at corresponding
rates, and still realize fair return for the
services rendered?
The commission is of opinion that this is
feasible. but perhaps have not sufficient data
upon which to predicate the conclusion
We hope for this information when YOU
shall be heard in reDlV 10 this letter